I'm new to Hondas and have been considering one over a Polaris sportsman. Im looking for some answers as to which Honda I should go with I'm looking for a used Honda early 2000s up to 07 I want it to be totally automatic put it in high or low and go about my business no pushing buttons just ride. my friend was telling me some are AWD?? I want a select either 2wd or 4wd could yall help me out.

 

Hondas have good reputations except for rhe automatic versions. The electric shift models are very expensive to repair and has caused a general reduction in used value. In my area you cant give them away! Some have had good luck with them but if you read thru various forums they have been an ongoing issue. You might find a cvt type automatic is the most reliable and cost effective type of automatic.

 

The 400AT and 500AT are exactly what you want. Both have switch operated 2/4WD. They also have the option of 5 speed manual override, but you don't have to use it. The 400AT was not popular as an ECU fault caused a recall, but we have maintained a few for years with no problems. The 400 does not have hi/Lo gear options. Both have an unusual electo/hydraulic CVT transmission, which is very complex compared to the belt drive CVT of all of the rival makes, which rather put buyers off, but again, we have had few transmission problems with them.

 

the 400at and 500at is that the rancher, foreman or Rubicon

 

The Rubicon is the 500cc auto model. It can also be operated in ES 5 speed mode as merryman said. The Rancher was available in a 400cc auto model and later as a 420cc auto model. Of those 3, I think the Rubicon would be the best one to get. I would look for at least a 2005 model or newer as that was the first year it had selectible 4x4. It was full-time before that. Selectible is much better as you can run it in 2wd when you don't need 4x4. Gives you much easier steering. The Rancher didn't get selectible 4x4 until 2007 I think.

 

The 400AT was always selectable 4WD. Here in the UK the Rubicon name died with the re-engineered model, which came out about 03 or 04. That is why I don't tend to use Rubicon, Rancher, Recon etc, different names were used for different countries but the Number designation didn't change. The 420AT had a 5 speed manual gearbox, but this could be changed automaticaly by the electronics. This gives a horrible notchy change when you don't expect it. Try a 400AT and a 420AT, you will go for the 400 every time.

 

The 400 wasn't that popular here. Rancher 350 was very popular and then when the 420 came out, they went with the power upgrade and selectible 4x4 to that model. I have heard that the 420 in auto mode always seemed to be searching for the right gear. It still does it even in the newer models. The 500AT or Rubicon, is the one I think the OP would most like. Honda back in the early 2000's still had most of its 4x4 models with full-time 4x4 while the rest of the industry had selectible 4x4. I guess it cost less to keep them that way. You can buy a disconnect kit for the full-time 4x4 equipped 500AT Rubicon models. It basically unlocks the front differential so it can be selectible 4x4. Its just easier to find one that has the selectible 4x4.

 

The 400AT wasn't that popular anywhere, not sure if it was cost or that recall ruining it's reputation, doesn't mean it wasn't a very good bike. I don't know where greg74 gets the idea there are vast numbers of 500ATs about with permanent 4WD, I've never seen one. The 450 Foreman got switchable 4WD in 03 which was fairly close to the introduction of the 500AT, my guess would be the 500AT would get it at the same time. With Honda only the 350 model continued with permanent 4WD to 06, Kawasaki's 300KLFs did too.

 

I was referring to the older ones. I think the 500AT came out in 2001, at least in the U.S. I remember looking at a 450 Foreman a few years ago, an 03 model and yes it had the selectible 4x4. It might have been an option on earlier 500AT models. I did just search my local craigslist and it listed an 04 model, a really nice one, and it had selectible 4x4. So at least the 04 and newer models had selectible 4x4. Here's the listing https://westky.craigslist.org/snd/d/...544604194.html
In the ads it will generally specify whether it had full time 4x4 or not. There was another 500AT listed but it didn't give nearly as good of a description, didn't even say what year it was. I hate when people do that, that's basic information that should be given when listing a sale ad for an atv. It didn't look nearly as nice as the one I posted the ad for. That's probably the nicest used older 500AT I've seen and the price reflects it.